A veritable institution in Barcelona as it boasts an unbeatable central location. From its outdoor tables, you get a great view of Las Rambles and Plaça Catalunya, and this alone makes it worth stopping in for a coffee. After 100 years in business it finally recieved facelift in 1998 when the original building on the same corner was torn down to make way for El Triangle shopping center. Inside and out, it's always full of tourists, students, shoppers and office workers.
This sandwich chain, with branches all over Spain, is specialized in baguette sandwiches, prepared on freshly-baked bread. There is a wide choice of them: warm, cold, grilled, wholemeal and a monthly special, which is devoted to a special event every month, such as Santa Claus in December. They also serve an assortment of salads including vegeterian, chicken and rice among others. There are set menus which include a sandwich, salads or fries, and a drink. For breakfast and snacks there are pastries and sweets. The characteristic decor of the chain is in yellow, black and white, with enormous pictures of appetizing sandwiches on the walls.
Plaça Catalunya once stood outside the city walls, between what is now Eixample and Ciutat Vella (Old City). It's an enormous square (50000 square meters), surrounded by huge buildings that house the headquarters of banks and other large companies. You'll find two outstanding sculptures here: Josep Clarà's La Divinidad and Pablo Gargallo's Pastor tocando el caramillo. If you're not a fan of pigeons, steer clear.
This is the first walkway you come to when strolling down the Ramblas. The kiosks sell newspapers from all over the world. You´ll find the Font de Canaletes (a small fountain) here, where Barça football fans (known as "culés") gather to celebrate their team's victories. According to legend, if you drink from this fountain you´ll return to Barcelona one day. You´re also likely to come across performers playing rock or Andean music surrounded by crowds of bystanders. It's a very cosmopolitan area.
This second section of the Ramblas is also known as the Rambla of the Birds, where you will find kiosks selling small animals, mostly birds. There are also chickens, parrots, turtles, hamsters and fish for sale. You'll also see mimes, musicians, clowns and other street performers here. As far as architecture is concerned, there are two impressive baroque buildings: Betlem Church and Virreina Palace.
This is one of the finest repositories for art collections from the 1300s to the 1700s. Observe works by the likes of Bartolome Bermejo, Manuel Tremulles, Pere Serafi and Jaume Huguet, and be enthralled. A must-visit for art-lovers.
The Grand Hotel Central Barcelona offers all the comforts of a first-class accommodation, as well as convenient closeness to all the hottest spots in the city. Attractive districts such as Las Ramblas and the Born are just steps away. There is a roof-top pool which is fabulous to look out over the city from.
This is one of the oldest churches in Barcelona and is dedicated to the two martyrs, Justo and Pastor, who were the subjects of veneration during the 4th century. However, much of the building is part of the later Visigothic construction. Back in the days of Ramón Berenguer 'el Viejo' (11th century), this parish church was used as a cathedral while the Romanesque cathedral was being built. The 14th century Gothic building work is typical of the church architecture of the time. Relics belonging to both saints are kept in a small chest from the cathedral of Narbonne donated by Jaume I's wife.
You can see how various architectural styles have evolved over the course of the last 1000 years in this singular building. It was originally built on top of the city's Roman walls and you can still see the remains of a Roman defensive wall tower in the façade. The interior is Romanesque with a courtyard in the centre. You will notice some Romanesque windows dating from the 13th century and some Gothic ones dating from the 15th century. The neoclassical façade was an 18th century creation by Josep Mas. It is closed to the public.
This street stretches from Las Ramblas to Plaça de la Catedral. One of the gates to the city of Barcelona was built here. The street is a wonderful mélange of people buying, looking, walking, talking and generally, living life. It is one of the most popular streets for shopping. There are also a lot of cafés and milk bars, especially in the Petritxol Street beside Portaferrissa, where one can have a hot chocolate and rest a little bit after shopping. What a charming area!
The city's Gothic Quarter and Romanesque Cathedral are a big draw for tourists. Avail of a half-day tour and seek out the history behind the architectural wonder that was built and destroyed several times over. While at it, a trip to the Museum of Picasso seems inevitable. Hit the website for rates and other details.
Began in the first century as a chapel, the construction of the present Gothic temple was initiated in 1928. The crucifix of the Christ of Lepanto (16th century), the crypt of Santa Eulàlia—the patron saint of Barcelona, and the neighborhood Claustro (cloister) are all pieces of art. Mass is conducted in Spanish and Catalan.
This is the best-preserved Roman relic in the city, and has three columns with Corinthian capitals raised on top of podiums. Built in the first century BC, it was originally a pagan temple, located in what used to be the centre of Roman Barcelona. Don't miss this chance to explore one of the last traces of the Roman town known as Barcino, upon which the medieval city was based. The three columns from the Temple d'August are inside the Centre Excursionista de Catalunya. Admission is free.
This romantic and peaceful square in the heart of the Barri Gòtic, just past the Palau Episcopal, stands on the site of what was a medieval cemetery. It's baroque church was built in 1752 and has an unfortunate history. During the Spanish Civil War a bomb fell on it and killed the 20 children seeking shelter inside. You can still see evidence of the explosion on the church's facade.
This collection includes footwear as diverse as Roman sandals and modern platform boots, along with cobblers' tools and machinery dating from different periods of history. The section for famous feet includes an enormous pair of shoes that were made to fit the statue, Monumento a Colón. They're so big they gained an entry in the Guinness Book of Records. You'll find this little museum in a medieval house in the old part of town that was once the shoemakers' guild headquarters.
On this private self-drive tour you will have the opportunity to discover the Jewish Heritage of Catalonia, Spain. Starting in the cosmopolitan city of Barcelona which has some imprints of its Jewish past (eg. Gothic Quarter, Montjuic, etc..). You will have time to explore on your own as well try our suggested privately guided tours to experience in detail the area. Even visit a Kosher winery! This vacation is suitable for couples and families traveling together. Come Discover the Jewish past of Catalonia!
This was once the Counts of Aragón's Barcelona residence. In the Roman period, it was the residence of the local governor, and later belonged to the Visigoth Ataulfo. Its Roman origins can be seen clearly in the façade. Now, after a series of renovations and expansions and a whole slew of Barcelonan counts, we're left with a Gothic building with one tower, called King Martin's Tower, which was used as a viewpoint and observatory.
This square "of the King" is located at the very end of Carrer Baixada de Santa Clara and boasts of an impressive collection of architectural marvels. It used to just be farmyards, but as time went on it became an important business area and eventually grew into the architecturally beautiful centre it is today. In this small space you will find Palau del Lloctinent (Lieutenant's Palace), the Main Royal Palace, the Chapel of Santa Àgata, and Casa Clariana-Padellàs (the city museum). Just next to the museum is the most recent addition to the square, a sculpture by Eduardo Chillida.
Barcelona's oldest residential district is these days a cosmopolitan and hip spot that is worth exploring. A magnet for artistes and students, over the last few years, quite a few young designers have moved in and opened up trendy fashion outlets. Barri Gòtic is also the place for antiques, crafts and souvenirs. The Carrer de Banys Nous and the narrow streets around it are full of small, cave-like antique shops that hide all kinds of jewels. There are also some eye-catching stores selling ceramics, pottery and crafts from Latin America and Africa. Markets enthusiasts won't be disappointed either: Plaça Nova houses an antiques market on Thursdays, while Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol fills with stalls selling crafts on Thursdays and Fridays. Don't leave the area without sampling a delicious hot chocolate in one of the atmospheric "Chocolaterías".
This beautiful Baroque church, built in honour of San Felipe Neri, is located in the Call district of the Barri Gòtic, an area which was once the Jewish district of Barcelona. The church is right in the middle of Plaça Sant Felip Neri, a trapezoid shaped square. This square used to border the edges of the Jewish quarter and was built on the remains of what was once a Jewish cemetery. This is one of the quieter areas of the Gothic Quarter and is reminiscent of other times. Visiting the square is the best way to get into the mood for a visit to the Baroque church, whose facade still shows bullet holes dating back to the Spanish Civil War. In its interior you can still find Baroque details in the mouldings, altars, and paintings.
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